Treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma with vinblastine in patients with disseminated dermal disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Classic Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare tumor with an indolent behavior. Local therapy is not applicable in disseminated cutaneous disease. Patients with advanced disease are usually treated with systemic chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effectiveness and toxicity of single-agent vinblastine in the treatment of disseminated and recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma.

METHODS:

Ten patients with wide cutaneous spread of classic Kaposi's sarcoma were treated with single-agent vinblastine, 6 mg/m2 intravenously once every 2 weeks. Vinblastine was continued for 2 months after achieving a maximal response.

RESULTS:

The male:female ratio was 2.3:1, and median age 64 years (range 50-79 years). The median number of involved nodules in the skin was 34. The overall response rate was 90%, 5 with complete response (50%) and 4 with partial response (40%). Complete responders had a longer duration of response than partial responders: 41.2 vs. 14.8 months. The median survival of all patients was 33 months. Side effects were minimal and tolerable.

CONCLUSIONS:

Vinblastine is very effective in the treatment of extensive classic 'Kaposi's sarcoma, and results in a high response rate, long survival and disease-free survival with tolerable toxicity.

• Authors: J Zidan, W Robenstein, A Abzah, S Taman
• Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ (Isr Med Assoc J) Vol. 3 Issue 4 Pg. 251-3 (Apr 2001) ISSN: 1565-1088 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 11344835 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Vinblastine

Topics

• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Israel
• Jews
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sarcoma, Kaposi (drug therapy, pathology)
• Vinblastine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)